As the sport of lacrosse continues to explode here in Massachusetts, local teams have had a big part of that as 12 teams qualified for post-season play last year between Mass. and New Hampshire.

Westford Academy advanced the furthest, losing in the Division 1 EMass. semifinals to Notre Dame of Hingham, which went on to capture the D1 state title.

Westford finished 23-2, including its D1 North title, and appears to be loaded once again behind All-Star Erica Mattila, who last year finished the season with 54 goals, 17 assists and won 80 percent of her faceoffs. She will be helped by a handful of other talented players such as Jenna Klinka, Kalie Boyd and Rebecca and Cathryn Sennott.

Acton-Boxboro (14-7-1) and Billerica (12-7) are also coming off state tournament seasons.

Over in Central Mass., Tyngsboro, Groton-Dunstable and Littleton are all coming off tremendous seasons and they all will be looking to repeat that success. Tyngsboro finished with a 16-4 record, while Groton-Dunstable advanced to the semifinals, losing to Algonquin. The Tigers finished 15-5 overall and will look to Bridget Schofield (42-18-60) and new coach Sean Sullivan to continue the winning ways.

Chelmsford, Lowell, Dracut and Tewksbury will look to improve in the very competitive Merrimack Valley Conference. The Lions will be led by Micaela Sanborn, who netted 47 goals a year ago.

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In the CAC, Lowell Catholic will return from its Division 2 championship title behind the scoring of Lexi Petzold, who had 41 last year.

Head coach Meghan Harris (4th year): "I'm very optimistic about the level of athleticism this year's team has. We've got speed, power, and strength on our roster this season. If we can combine those with stick work and field smarts, I think we'll be a real competitor this year."

Head coach Ashley Martell (5th season): "The girls have come into this season in great shape and have the desire to work hard and they want to be very successful this season. I am excited to get out on the field and see what they can do."

Head coach Mandy Rogers (2nd season): "I am already seeing an expansion in the program. Talented athletes are joining the squad and making the team better. I look forward to watching the group take positive steps towards its potential."

Head coach Mike Marshall (4th season): "The team is working extremely hard and the girls are excited for the season ahead. We are a young team with some solid senior leadership which we hope will pay off as we continue throughout the season. The team is excited for the challenge as we play in a very competitive MVC Large Division and have a tough non-league schedule."

Head coach Paul Morrison (4th year): "Last year's team had a lot of adversity battling through inexperience and injury. We always play a tough schedule being in the DCL, but we have so many veteran players who are used to playing in many games that have gone down to the wire. With our four senior captains (Barrett, Brandhorst, Mahoney, and Olsen) I am confident we will come out on the positive side of the majority of those close games."

Head coach Katie Bourque (4th season): "This year we have the talent (to be better). We are led by our two senior captains, Hailey Nogler and Christina Kompouras. We are pleased with how our preseason is going along with the incoming freshmen talent. We are excited with the progress that has been made and can't wait for the season to start."

Head coach Sarah Valacer (1st year): "We are rebuilding on defense this year. We lost four senior defenders, but from what I've seen so far there are girls ready and willing to step up to fill the spots and learn from senior captain, Shelly Herlihy. Our goalie, Maria Antonellis, has developed even more after her amazing freshman season. I am looking forward to seeing her make some key saves this season. Offensively, we are getting the routine down quickly with the help from leaders Livy Penney, Liv Rubeski and Nicki Wilkinson, who are always looking to goal."

Head coach (interim) Kerry D'Ambroise (1st year): "We have a strong set of returners and seniors coming back this year. Our attack is really clicking and we are working on continuing our progress with our defensive unit. The girls are willing to put in the extra work and are eager to get the season going. They are a fun group of girls."

Head coach Jillian Lynam (2nd year): "We're looking good and we're still working out a few chinks in the armor. But every day the girls develop a better flow with each other especially with regards to knowing one another's game and how they move on the field. I like where we're heading and I'm looking forward to see what we become."

Head coach Margaret Desilets (6th year): "The team is improving every day. Being a young team can prove challenging but this group of girls offers a lot of potential and we are all eager to begin playing."

Head coach Kaitlin Carmody (3rd season): "We have a very young team this year after graduating 12 seniors last year. I am looking forward to getting these girls to mold together as one so that he have a successful next few years."

Co-head coach Charlotte Ardini (1st year): "The girls have been working extremely hard. All of our returners are phenomenal leaders on and off the field, which will greatly reflect on our newcomers. Both (co-coach) Eileen Warford and I are both past graduates and athletes from Shawsheen, which makes the coaching experience that much greater. We're able to share the same love and pride for the school and its athletics along with the girls on the team."

Head coach Joel McKenna (7th season): "I think if we stay healthy we have the ability to have a good season. We have a good mix of veteran experience and talented youth.We have an all-conference player back in Hayley Sutherland and a bunch of all-stars back in Taylor Lirakis, Chelsea Smith, Ashley Kelly and Amanda Aylward. Our biggest concern is goaltending. We are young and inexperienced at the goaltending position."

Head coach Carrie Casey (1st year): "We're confident the Tigers are going to be as successful as they were last year. I have a lot of new varsity players on both the offensive and defensive ends who are combining nicely with our experienced players. Together they have created a talented and aggressive team ready for the challenge."

Head coach Julie Olivier (4th year): "We made the state semi-finals last season and we are making a run to be a contender again this year. We have a strong, balanced team. We graduated a strong group last year, five that are playing in college as freshmen. This year we have four seniors recruited to play in college, Rebecca and Cathryn Sennott to UNH, Erica Mattila (captain) to Saint Anselm's and Tianna Habosian to Assumption, with a few others who will likely be walk-ons. We are preparing for strong competition in the DCL and top teams we will face out of league."

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